LONDON — A legal professional from Ontario presented her determination this afternoon concerning the matter of purported inappropriate relations involving past individuals associated with Canada’s junior hockey squad.
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote were all determined not liable in the proceedings pertaining to a situation reported to have occurred within a London, Ontario, lodging establishment during the initial hours of June 19, 2018.
Here’s the ongoing information:
4 p.m.
Hockey Canada declared that five athletes cleared Thursday within a judicial setting situated in London, Ontario, will maintain their exclusion from every program endorsed by Hockey Canada.
A detached review committee ceased a prior session concerning whether these individuals had violated Hockey Canada’s principles, choosing to wait until the completion of the criminal inquiry. Currently, there’s no established timeframe for a resumption of such dialogues.
The organization stated they’re unable to provide additional remarks while the appeal framework remains operational.
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3:50 p.m.
Karen Bellehumeur, legal counsel for the accuser, informed members of the press beyond the courtroom that her client feels extremely disappointed with the judgment alongside the judicial assessment concerning her reliability.
Bellehumeur expressed that the accuser has never previously undergone an incident wherein her integrity was questioned in this manner.
She conveyed the accuser’s gratitude for the backing she has obtained, as well as her decision to report the incident, aiming to advocate for herself and others.
Bellehumeur argued for improvements within the judicial processes, affirming that while guaranteeing the entitlements of the accused holds importance, such protections shouldn’t compromise the well-being of those affected.
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3:40 p.m.
Prosecuting Attorney Meaghan Cunningham addressed news reporters outside the courthouse after the rulings of innocence.
She explained that the accomplishment of the Crown during a court action isn’t assessed simply via considering the verdict, and that the goal has been to conduct reasonable proceedings for everyone involved.
Cunningham conveyed appreciation to the accuser for reporting the issue and for her resilience during the trial.
Additionally, she revealed her team received numerous supportive messages intended for the complainant, which have been passed on to her.
She remarked that her team would meticulously analyze the court’s verdict, and she possessed no additional input given the case remaining under appeal scope.
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3:13 p.m.
Individuals commenced exiting the filled courtroom upon the ending of the protracted and unstable matter of purported inappropriate relations involving five hockey players, culminating in not-guilty conclusions regarding all participants.
Those attending exchanged comforting pats as they indicated their thoughts towards the judicial determination.
Participants hugged one another as departures from the elevated courtroom began.
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3:06 p.m.
The judge has delivered the determination that Michael McLeod is not culpable of sexual misconduct and not culpable of an individual accusation pertaining to participating in the misconduct.
She asserted she is uncertain if McLeod invited other participants to his quarters, lacking awareness from the accuser.
The judge stated all participants are permitted to depart.
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2:56 p.m.
The judge has declared Dillon Dube is not culpable regarding sexual misconduct.
Dube faced accusations of obtaining oral contact from the accuser lacking her agreement and additionally hitting her posterior while she had been engaging in a sexual encounter with a separate individual.
The judge affirmed the matter regarding Dube had not been demonstrated beyond legitimate questioning.
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2:51 p.m.
The judge has declared Callan Foote is not culpable regarding sexual misconduct.
He was accused of grazing the accuser’s facial area using his reproductive anatomy as he executed separated leg positions over her within the lodging space, although his attorneys communicated that he was completely dressed and did not come into bodily contact with the female.
The judge maintained the leg separations were distinct from sexual actions occurring that night, expressing uncertainty regarding their association with any sexual element.
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2:45 p.m.
The judge has declared Alex Formenton is not culpable regarding sexual misconduct.
She said the Crown has failed to demonstrate the accusations versus him beyond legitimate reservations.
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2:40 p.m.
The judge has declared Carter Hart is not culpable regarding sexual misconduct.
She stated there exists justifiable uncertainty regarding whether the intimate interaction between him and the complainant transpired without her agreement.
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2:18 p.m.
The judge states the accuser possessed a “propensity to condemn others” concerning contradictions within her narrative, notably law enforcement personnel and legal representatives during the civil lawsuit.
She further emphasizes the female “dedicated effort” in emphasizing her significant drunkenness throughout the evening, although this aspect remains unsupported when analyzing recordings from the establishment and lodging site that evening, as well as statements provided by other individuals.
Carroccia states there were “no distinct indications of impairment” evident among any recordings of the female, additionally, she was moving and engaging in dance “unimpeded,” even when utilizing high-heeled footwear.
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2 p.m.
The judge proceeds by analyzing what she perceives as inconsistencies and gaps within the accuser’s statement.
She expresses concerns regarding her dependability based on how she answered particular inquiries while providing testimony, including what she expressed during conversations with law enforcement.
Carroccia specifies numerous instances, involving the accuser not dismissing a suggestion that negating her selections initiated during the evening was easier to do.
The judge additionally emphasizes the complainant referencing “her individual truth” instead of “the definitive truth,” which “seemingly obscures the distinction” involving what she accepts as genuine against what is ultimately genuine.
Furthermore, the judge states the female did not raise anxieties during the 2018 conversations via law enforcement officials, with initial occurrences arising throughout her formalized declaration regarding the civil disagreement.
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1:57 p.m.
The court has reconvened with the judge stating awareness that an individual within an auxiliary space inside the courthouse acquired an image or recording of a display illustrating the affairs, which remains unauthorized.
The judge instructed an official of the court to escort the individual from the extra area if they are recognizable, subsequently notifying law enforcement.
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1:34 p.m.
The judge declared another brief recess.
Just prior, she stated the court should consider both the reliability and dependability concerning a witness’s input during the legal procedures.
Furthermore, she stated the court ought not to depend upon myths or stereotypes while evaluating a complainant’s credibility in a sexual misconduct hearing.
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1:16 p.m.
The judge is outlining the legal tenets that pertain to this instance.
Carroccia states the concept involving demonstration that extends beyond reasonable concerns constitutes a foundation throughout the legal structure.
She explained the court must consider the entirety of evidence in relation to each of the individuals under accusation.
The Crown must substantiate three fundamental elements regarding sexual misconduct: physical contact occurred, this contact possessed sexual characteristics, and this occurred without consent.
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12:56 p.m.
The judge is reviewing numerous arguments presented by defense representatives during the trial, notably the idea that the accuser created an untrue account after she regretted her selections during the night.
Carroccia stated McLeod’s legal representative argued that the videos recorded via approval from the accuser, in addition to additional pieces of evidence, display her willingness and “active” participation in the intimate activity that night.
The judge communicated Hart’s lawyer maintained that he was “candid” and truthful while delivering testimony, additionally the accuser’s interpretation of occurrences cannot be relied upon.
Carroccia observes the defense maintaining that the complainant’s statement demonstrated unreliability while seeming “prepared.”
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12:47 p.m.
The judge is revisiting the Crown’s arguments and submissions throughout the trial.
The Crown maintained the complainant was reliable and lacked reason to fabricate claims that she did not willingly agree to the intimate actions that transpired within the lodging space.
Additionally, the Crown sustained that the proof delivered by the accused participants shouldn’t be accepted, owing to the compromises concerning trustworthiness stemming from written communications within the collective communication that occurred following the instance.
Carroccia states the Crown argued the participants’ collective chat sought to “devise an account” concerning the complainant including the occurrences from the particular night.
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12:19 p.m.
The judge is addressing the evidence gathered from Carter Hart, the sole participant under accusation to deliver personal testimony under oath.
Information revealed that McLeod transmitted via collective communication inquiring regarding possible “three-way” interactions, while Hart responded, “I’m in.”
Hart stated he had been intoxicated alongside his initial memory concerning the accuser involved seeing her reclining naked upon a sheet upon the ground, engaging in self-stimulation.
Additionally, he testified that the female offered intimate actions toward the males within the room as well as he briefly experienced oral attention from her.
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12:02 p.m.
The judge has recommenced reading reasons pertaining to her determination after the morning recess.
She is reviewing particular evidence court obtained via additional hockey players that had been situated within the lodging room during particular points although they were not subject to any accusations concerning this matter.
Carroccia states that a hockey player among these expressed the impression of shock appearing within the males following his indication of an intimate offering from the complainant.
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11:37 a.m.
The judge conveys having completed merely half of her decision’s reading while declaring a brief intermission.
The hockey players are demonstrating smiles and embracing their legal representatives as they proceed from the court in anticipation of the break.
Certain members within the spectators are additionally exchanging embraces.
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11:17 a.m.
The judge is analyzing textual communications between the complainant versus McLeod upon the instance occurring inside the lodging space.
Proof disclosed that McLeod had inquired of the female on actions capable of causing the law enforcement probe to “disappear.”
Carroccia observes the accuser indicating toward McLeod that documenting the instance among law enforcement constituted an error and she did not intend to pursue the subject any further.
The accuser testified she had been apprehensive upon McLeod establishing contact.
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11:08 a.m.
The judge is acknowledging the documented approval material introduced as evidence throughout the proceedings.
Footage played involved two short clips displaying the accuser voicing she was “OK” regarding the occurrences inside the lodging space alongside the claim that “everything was approved.”
Carroccia states the female failed to demonstrate indicators revealing intoxication inside the visuals alongside clear articulations within her spoken communication.
She emphasizes the female’s statement communicating that those visuals failed to deliver a genuine perspective of her sentiments felt during that evening.
The Crown maintains the footage does not substantiate approval relating to the intimate actions that transpired.
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10:45 a.m.
The judge is revisiting aspects of the matter preceding conveyance of her verdicts upon the accusations addressed toward each participant.
She is clarifying specifics learned across the progression of the trial, consisting of interactions including the complainant convening alongside McLeod inside a bar before accompanying him to his lodging space alongside communications conveyed with a companion during the evening.
The judge additionally recaps the accuser’s description regarding her sensations following the instance including events taking place once she had arrived home later during the evening.
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10:30 a.m.
Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia conveys within the court that the accuser inside this matter did not demonstrate trustworthy accounts.
Audible expressions indicating relief were detectible within the courtroom in areas where relatives of the accused remained in seating behind legal representatives.
Formal verdicts had not been conveyed thus far.
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10:25 a.m.
Legal events remain actively developing inside a filled courtroom in anticipation of the judge’s pronouncements regarding her determinations.
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9:25 a.m.
Every player under accusation has proceeded inside the London, Ontario, courthouse wherein a judge is anticipated to convey her resolutions throughout the sexual misconduct hearing later within the morning.
Carter Hart stood among the last players under accusation to arrive, approaching approximately 9:30 a.m.
Protestors positioned external to the setting grew quieter following the players’ arrivals, announcing strategies involving a return throughout the day following the judge’s proclamations.
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9:10 a.m.
Four out of five players facing accusations have proceeded to the courthouse to await verdicts related to their matter.
Dillon Dube stood as the initial player entering, followed via Alex Formenton, whom both arose before the 9:00 a.m. hour.
Michael McLeod alongside Callan Foote followed.
Exclamations conveyed via protestors intensify alongside the arrival from each player.
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8 a.m.
Advocates in support regarding the complainant throughout the matter assemble external toward the courthouse as a queue for entry extends in length.
Advocates carried vivid signs indicating advocacy for survivors regarding sexual wrongdoing including replications encompassing predetermined expressions published upon vibrant orange documents.
An expression proclaims, “The garment I have on is not an indication for permission.”
An individual is authoring the expression “believe” through capitalized characters utilizing pavement chalk on the sidewalk.
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7 a.m.
Reporters alongside onlookers initiated lining along the perimeter pertaining to the London, Ontario, courthouse upon the hour marking 6:15 a.m. – upwards of a duo of hours preceding opening.
Upon 7:00 a.m., estimations near a dozen individuals awaited near the entrance.
Occupancy throughout the courtroom remains constricted, albeit personnel have established an overflow enclosure wherein attendance gains viewing scope via televisions.
This piece of writing from The Canadian Press was earlier made known July 24, 2025.
The Canadian Press
